JCA’s April Students of the Month

Kelsie Chasten, Nick Collofello and Austin Naal honored for April

Nick Collofello (from left), Kelsie Chasten and Austin Naal are JCA's Students of the Month for April. (Photo by Bill Scheibe)

JOLIET – Joliet Catholic Academy is pleased to announce its Students of the Month for March: Kelsie Chasten, Kiwanis Club of Joliet; Nick Collofello, Rotary Club of Joliet; and Austin Naal, Joliet Noon Lions Club.

The daughter of Steven and Kellie, Chasten ranks 17th in her class and has earned certificates of outstanding achievement in English I, English III, biology and chemistry and a medal for outstanding achievement in English II. She has been on the high “A” honor roll for four years.

The co-founder of the Huggables dance program for Down syndrome children, Chasten is a member of National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish NHS, Drama Club, Key Club, Spanish Club and the International Thespian Troupe as well as being a student ambassador.

A Channahon resident, Chasten plans on attending Dominican University, majoring in psychology while following an occupational therapy track in pursuit of a Master’s degree at Rush University.

The son of Nick and Amy, Collofello carries a 3.1 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. He lists economics as his favorite subject. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the national honor society for math, and is a student ambassador. He is the oldest of seven kids in his family.

After starting as a defensive tackle and linebacker for the Hilltoppers’ Class 5A state runnerup football team, Collofello reached the state finals in wrestling this winter. He was named all-conference in wrestling and was the TribLocal Athlete of the Month for February of 2011.

A Joliet resident, Collofello has signed to continue his football career at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, where he will major in actuarial science. His plan is to be an actuary for a business firm.

The son of John and Ann, Naal carries a 4.4 grade-point average on a weighted 5.0 scale. He lists calculus as his favorite subject and is ranked 22nd in his class. He is a member of Latin NHS, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Society of High School Scholars. He works at the Our Lady of Angels retirement home.

Entering the spring season, Naal already is a three-time state qualifier, two-time all-conference pick and team captain of the tennis team. He is treasurer of the Latin Club and also played on JCA’s state championship flag football team this past fall.

A Joliet resident, Naal plans on attending the University of Colorado-Boulder or the University of Illinois, majoring in mechanical engineering. He wants to become a mechanical engineer or an entrepreneur.